The Home Office is reviewing at least 13 sites for asylum housing in Norfolk as of August 2025, with major changes underway. The most urgent issue centers on the Park Hotel in Diss, where the Home Office plans to replace 80 current residents—mostly women and children who have lived there for two years—with single adult male asylum seekers. This sudden move has sparked protests, strong opposition from hotel management, and urgent talks between South Norfolk Council and the Home Office.
Current Situation in Norfolk
The Park Hotel case highlights the broader changes in how the Home Office manages asylum housing in Norfolk. In July 2025, the Home Office notified the hotel and local council of its intention to move families out and bring in single men. The hotel’s management responded by refusing to comply, stating they would rather close than force families to leave. Local authorities were not consulted in advance, leading to urgent discussions and public outcry. As of late July, families remain at the hotel while negotiations continue.
Across Norfolk, the Home Office continues to use hotels for asylum accommodation, a practice that began in 2023 due to a growing asylum backlog and a shortage of suitable housing. Protests and disturbances have occurred at several hotel sites in July 2025, reflecting local tensions and the national debate over asylum policy.
National Policy and Financial Pressures
Nationally, the government faces pressure to stop using hotels for asylum seekers and instead use larger, purpose-built sites like former military bases. However, progress has been slow, and costs remain high. The June 2025 Spending Review allocated £200 million to speed up changes to the asylum system, with a promise to end hotel use by 2029. Despite this, the Home Office expects to spend £2.2 billion on asylum accommodation in 2025/26, only a slight decrease from the previous year.
The backlog of asylum appeals remains severe, with 90,389 cases pending as of March 31, 2025. The total number of pending asylum claims stands at 91,000, down from 134,000 at the end of 2023. These numbers show the scale of the challenge facing the Home Office and local communities.
How Accommodation Is Allocated
The Home Office’s latest guidance, published in June 2025, states that asylum accommodation is provided on a ‘no choice basis’. This means that people seeking asylum cannot choose where they live. The Home Office considers individual needs, but the main goal is to provide housing to those who would otherwise be homeless, even if all information about their needs is not available at the time. Decisions are made case by case, and people can appeal or ask for a review if they disagree with their placement.
Local Authority and Community Involvement
Local councils, including South Norfolk and Broadland, have criticized the Home Office for making decisions without consulting them first. This lack of communication has led to public criticism and calls for better planning. The Norfolk Strategic Housing Partnership (NSHP), which used to coordinate local responses to homelessness and asylum housing, was dissolved in April 2025. Its work now continues under the Norfolk Homelessness Solutions Forum.
Community groups, local politicians, and hotel operators all play important roles. Some support the government’s efforts to reduce costs and clear the backlog, while others focus on the need for humane treatment and helping asylum seekers become part of the community.
Key Facts and Figures
- At least 13 sites in Norfolk are under review or in use for asylum housing, but the Home Office has not published a full list as of August 2025.
- The Park Hotel houses 80 residents (34 adults, mostly women, and 46 children) as of July 2025.
- Nationally, over a third of asylum seekers in government accommodation are in hotels as of December 2024.
- Fewer than 1% of asylum seekers are housed in large sites like ex-military bases.
Perspectives from Stakeholders
- Government: The Home Office and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper have promised to end hotel use and move to more sustainable solutions. However, many doubt whether this can be achieved on time.
- Local Authorities: Councils and local leaders say the lack of consultation disrupts communities and harms vulnerable asylum seekers, especially families who have settled locally.
- Hotel Operators: Some, like the Park Hotel’s owners, have refused to follow government orders, putting the welfare of current residents first.
- Community Groups: Local residents are divided, with some protesting against asylum housing changes and others supporting asylum seekers’ rights.
Impact on Asylum Seekers and Communities
Families living in Norfolk’s asylum housing face uncertainty and possible displacement, often with little warning or information. Single male asylum seekers may be moved into sites that previously housed families, raising concerns about safety, integration, and community relations. Sudden changes have led to protests and calls for more transparency and better planning.
Policy Reform and Local Changes
The government’s goal to end hotel use by 2029 is in doubt due to high costs, slow progress on alternative sites, and ongoing backlogs. Local governance is also changing, with the NSHP replaced by the Norfolk Homelessness Solutions Forum, which now coordinates local responses to homelessness and asylum housing.
Practical Guidance and Resources
- For questions about asylum policy or individual cases, contact the Home Office Asylum Policy Team through the official GOV.UK website.
- The Norfolk Homelessness Solutions Forum continues to support local coordination and can be reached through the Broadland Group’s website.
- Local councils, such as South Norfolk and Broadland, provide updates and support for residents affected by these changes.
Background and Ongoing Developments
The use of hotels for asylum housing in Norfolk started in 2023 as a response to rising asylum claims and limited housing. The government’s approach has changed several times, with ongoing debates about cost, community impact, and the rights of asylum seekers. The current crisis shows the difficulty of balancing national policy with local needs.
Negotiations between councils, hotel operators, and the Home Office are ongoing and may lead to further changes in Norfolk’s asylum housing in the coming months. National policy could shift again, depending on the success of efforts to expand large sites, reduce hotel use, and address legal challenges and public opposition.
Looking Ahead
The future of asylum housing in Norfolk depends on decisions by the Home Office and responses from local stakeholders. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the situation remains uncertain, with families, single adults, and communities all affected by ongoing changes. For now, the focus remains on finding solutions that balance cost, community needs, and the rights of those seeking asylum.
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